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jdubner
Joined: 17 Jul 2012
Posts: 35
Location: Independence, OR
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 Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 9:11 am Post subject: Voltage regulator recommendation? |
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I'm in the market for a new "Ford-type VR166" voltage regulator. My existing
one produces occasional "switching noise" that's audible in my intercom.
Worse yet, with the onset of cooler weather the charging voltage has been
creeping upward (15.0 volts after start settling down to 14.7 in a few minutes).
There are no adjustments so I'd like to replace it with one of proven quality.
Can anyone give me a first-hand recommendation for a voltage regulator that
they're happy with and doesn't cost an arm-and-a-leg? Not a "just Google VR166
regulator" or look on eBay please.
Thanks,
Joe
Independence, OR
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Independence, OR |
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nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 6:47 pm Post subject: Voltage regulator recommendation? |
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At 11:10 2014-11-23, you wrote:
I'm in the market for a new "Ford-type VR166" voltage regulator. My
existing one produces occasional "switching noise" that's audible in
my intercom.
Worse yet, with the onset of cooler weather the charging voltage has
been creeping upward (15.0 volts after start settling down to 14.7 in
a few minutes). There are no adjustments so I'd like to replace it
with one of proven quality.
Can anyone give me a first-hand recommendation for a voltage
regulator that they're happy with and doesn't cost an
arm-and-a-leg? Not a "just Google VR166
regulator" or look on eBay please.
You sound 'cautious' as to your selection
of devices. The modern incarnation of that
product line is 40+ years old and it seems
that everyone still making them should
have figured out how to do it.
The best recommendation anyone can make
is "I got an XXX by YYY and it's not
given me any trouble for ZZZ hours."
But I'm pretty sure that 99% of what's
offered out there would deliver to the
same observation.
Regulators are not critical for comfortable
continuation of flight, therefore, sampling
from the range of offerings is a low risk
experiment and the odds are very much in
your favor.
Go to a local auto parts store and get
one of their VR166 (or clone) . . . with
$20 price point. Here's a few of many
possibilities.
http://tinyurl.com/puzalge
http://tinyurl.com/l9jvymv
http://tinyurl.com/l9jvymv
The Wells VR749 and Motorcraft GR540
are alternative numbers to cross
reference.
Bob . . .
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racerjerry
Joined: 15 Dec 2009
Posts: 202
Location: Deer Park, NY
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 5:47 am Post subject: Re: Voltage regulator recommendation? |
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Bob, would you happen to have any part numbers for an ADJUSTABLE voltage regulator for use with 12 volt 60 A Ford type alternators? Thanks.
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Jerry King |
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nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 7:37 am Post subject: Voltage regulator recommendation? |
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At 07:47 2014-11-24, you wrote:
| Quote: |
Bob, would you happen to have any part numbers for an ADJUSTABLE
voltage regulator for use with 12 volt 60 A Ford type alternators? Thanks.
|
No, I've never seen one in the wild. Some
years ago, I explored the idea of adding
a trim pot to the board of an existing
design. I bonded a ten-turn pot to the
top surface of a the ECB aligned with
an access hole in the lid. Then added
some jumper wires and one resistor to
the assembly so that I could 'tug' on
the regulator's voltage sampling node.
Worked just fine. Took about 40 minutes
labor and $3 parts to install . . . didn't
seem like a marketable idea so I didn't
pursue it.
These regulators are consistent and
well within the 'satisfactory' operations
range of the svla battery. The notion of
being able to control it seems like adding
an adjustment to the tension spring on
a windshield wiper . . . intellectually
satisfying perhaps . . . but AutoZone
probably couldn't sell it.
B&C has an adjustable 'stone simple'
regulator for their PM alternators . . .
but we're finding that contemporary
off-the-shelf PM rectifier/regulators
have achieved the no-hassles/no-worries
stature of their cousins in the wound
field regulator world . . . that adjustment
is probably going to go away.
Bob . . .
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jdubner
Joined: 17 Jul 2012
Posts: 35
Location: Independence, OR
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 8:04 am Post subject: Voltage regulator recommendation? |
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Thanks for the links and part numbers, Bob. Yes, the auto parts stores are full
of them but I was trying to prevent a repeat of what happened with my first one.
I suppose I'll just gamble another $20 since the odds are 99:1 in my favor
unless someone can give a recommendation for "XXX by YYY".
--
Joe
Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote, On 11/23/2014 18:46:
| Quote: |
<nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com>
At 11:10 2014-11-23, you wrote:
I'm in the market for a new "Ford-type VR166" voltage regulator. My
existing one produces occasional "switching noise" that's audible in my
intercom.
Worse yet, with the onset of cooler weather the charging voltage has
been creeping upward (15.0 volts after start settling down to 14.7 in a
few minutes). There are no adjustments so I'd like to replace it with
one of proven quality.
Can anyone give me a first-hand recommendation for a voltage regulator
that they're happy with and doesn't cost an arm-and-a-leg? Not a "just
Google VR166
regulator" or look on eBay please.
You sound 'cautious' as to your selection
of devices. The modern incarnation of that
product line is 40+ years old and it seems
that everyone still making them should
have figured out how to do it.
The best recommendation anyone can make
is "I got an XXX by YYY and it's not
given me any trouble for ZZZ hours."
But I'm pretty sure that 99% of what's
offered out there would deliver to the
same observation.
Regulators are not critical for comfortable
continuation of flight, therefore, sampling
from the range of offerings is a low risk
experiment and the odds are very much in
your favor.
Go to a local auto parts store and get
one of their VR166 (or clone) . . . with
$20 price point. Here's a few of many
possibilities.
http://tinyurl.com/puzalge
http://tinyurl.com/l9jvymv
http://tinyurl.com/l9jvymv
The Wells VR749 and Motorcraft GR540
are alternative numbers to cross
reference.
Bob . . .
|
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http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List |
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_________________
Independence, OR |
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user9253
Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 1935
Location: Riley TWP Michigan
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 8:20 pm Post subject: Re: Voltage regulator recommendation? |
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I think that it would be a worthwhile text to measure the voltage between the regulator "S" terminal and the regulator case to see if it agrees with the electrical system voltmeter. If the two voltages are different, then there could be a high resistance connection in the regulator circuit.
Joe
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Joe Gores |
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jdubner
Joined: 17 Jul 2012
Posts: 35
Location: Independence, OR
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 11:18 pm Post subject: Voltage regulator recommendation? |
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That was a great reminder, Joe. Thanks. I don't know why I fixated on
replacing the voltage regulator; it was even easier to troubleshoot the wiring.
Long story short: I found a sizable drop along a 6-inch wire connecting the
alternator field circuit breaker and the alternator switch. Visually it looked
good and tested very close to 0 ohms but there was about 0.25V drop across that
short wire. Replaced it and the voltage on the "S" terminal came up almost 0.5V
I don't understand that arithmetic but there may have been intermittent issues.
Until I fly I won't know it's fixed for sure but if the charging voltage is
0.5V lower than the present (15.0 decreasing to 14.7 in a few minutes) I'll be a
happy camper.
Thanks again,
Joe
user9253 wrote, On 11/25/2014 20:20:
| Quote: |
I think that it would be a worthwhile text to measure the voltage between the regulator "S" terminal and the regulator case to see if it agrees with the electrical system voltmeter. If the two voltages are different, then there could be a high resistance connection in the regulator circuit.
Joe
--------
Joe Gores
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_________________
Independence, OR |
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